In response to the federal government's plan to close control towers at 13 small Texas airports, the Texas Department of Transportation announced today it will pick up the slack.

The department announced Thursday that it intends to fund continued service of air traffic controllers at the 13 towers when federal funding stops as a result of nationwide budget cuts.

The decision, however, must be approved by the Texas Transportation Commission, which is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. April 4 in an emergency session. The commission is conducting its regular monthly meeting Thursday in Austin, but the proposal to fund the control towers was made too late to be included on the agenda, said TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it would close 149 air traffic control towers nationwide on April 7 as a result of the budget cuts known as sequestration. On the list were 13 towers in Texas, including those at Sugar Land and Conroe airports.

TxDOT will get the money for the emergency funding from existing state aviation funds, Cross said.

The estimated cost of paying the air traffic controllers is $7 million annually, Cross said, but details have to be worked out.

"Safety is the primary reason we felt a need to take immediate action for the air travelers and business aircraft that use these airports," Texas Transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood said in a news release. "I am proud of our leaders for taking this extraordinary measure to ensure that those relying on these municipal airports will be able to depart and arrive safely and efficiently."

The initiative for the emergency funding came from Governor Rick Perry's office, Cross said.

"They saw the need early, and we've all partnered up to see what we can do," he said.

TxDOT executive director Phil Wilson said flying is an integral part of Texas commerce.

"Local communities are counting on these airports to remain open for continued economic success," Wilson said in a prepared statement.

Sugar Land city spokesman Doug Adolph said the announcement was great news.

"We appreciate the efforts of the state in recognizing the importance of our air traffic control tower and its contributions to the regional economy," Adolph said Thursday.

Although not a done deal and not a permanent solution, the proposal is a step in the right direction, Adolph said.

"We will continue to work with our elected leaders to communicate the importance of our air traffic controllers in hope they will reestablish long-term funding for the operation of the tower," he said.